Method for the construction of dry or graving docks.



Patented Apr, (111915.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

INVENTOR F. R. HARRIS.

METHOD FOR THE CONSTRUCTION 0F DRY 0R GRAVING DOCKS.

APPLICATION FILED ocr. 1s, 1913. L

F. R. HARRIS.

METHOD FOR THE CONSTRUCTION 0F DRY 0R GRAVING DOCKS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. I6, 1913. Ll Patented Apr. 6, 1915.

' 8 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

THE' MORRIS PETERS Co..PHo1ovL/7HO.. WASHINGTON. D.

F. R. HARRIS. METHOD FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF DRY OR GRAVING DOCKS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. I6. I9I3.

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FREDERIC ROBERT HARRIS, OF

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

METHOD FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF DRY OR GEAVING BOOKS.

Application filed October 16, 1913.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FREDERIC ROBERT Hannie, a citizen of the United States, residing at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and `State of N ew York, have invented and devised a new and improved Method for the Construction of Dry or Graving Docks, of which the following is a specification.

lfy invention relates to a new and hitherto unused method for the construction of dry docks or graving docks, or the enlargement or extension of dry docks already built, or for the construction, enlargement, or extension of structures involving the general features of a graving dock; to wit, a deep exca- \.'ation in which is placed a masonry floor on a prepared foundation, and side or retaining walls to retain the earth banks back of the structure, and in which structure water is allowed to remain either permanently, or into which it is or may be placed, or from which it is or may be removed at will.

Figure l is a sectional view, showing the floating box or caisson (a), which has been constructed in the dry and floated. Fig. 2 shows the floating caisson built up with sides (o) and ends properly braced. Fig. 3 shows the floating caisson with lagging (o) and concrete (d) placed therein, in the dry, ready for sinking into final position. In Fig. Ll, the caisson is being filled with masonry, and sunk to its final position. Fig. shows concreting of the structure in the caisson partially completed. Fig. 6 shows the side walls (e) and the floor of the structure completed, with bracing (c) and lagging (o) removed. Fig. 7 is a plan view of a floating caisson (o.) such as is used in the construction of a structure herein described. Fig. 8 shows the side wall vertical seal between a series of caissons. Fig. 9. shows the bottom horizontal seal (g) between the sides of adjoining caissons. Fig. 10 is an isometric view of a construction, showing one caisson sunk to position, with side walls built up and bracing removed, and another adjoining caisson in position to be sunk to final position. Fig. 11 is a plan of a dry dock composed of a series of caissons built and locked together as herein described.

The floating box or caisson (a) shown in Fig. l may be constructed in the dry on an inclined ways and then launched into the water, or it may be built in a shallow, exA cavated basin, this .icing then flooded, or by Speccaton of Letters atent.

rama-ea. am. e, reis.

serial No. 795,503.

any other method whereby the floating caisson can be built in the dry and subsequently floated in the water to its proper position. Each box is then to be surmounted by a timber, concrete, or steel extension or lagging (o), properly braced, as shown in Fig. 2. Concrete of the structure proper is then placed into the box or caisson; this is shown in Figs. 3 and 1i. lThe weight of the box with the contained in excess of the hydrostatic pressure so that it can be sunk to its final position on a prepared foundation (It). In case it is desired to sink the box or caisson with its contained masonry on the prepared foundation previous to the complete construction of the interior masonry, the box or caisson may be Hooded to the desired extent with the exterior water, so as to settle it, and the side walls (c) or the upper portion of the side walls constructed in the interior of the caisson afterwards. lhere the structure is of such size that it is desirable to use more than one caisson, the procedure herein described is followed with each caisson. When the caissons are sunk, the adjoining ones are locked together or sealed by means of the concrete seals and (g) shown in Figs. 8 and 9, or seals similar thereto, the object of the seal being to close the sides and bottom and make the two or more caissons or boxes continuous, so that the water may be removed from them, the concrete or other material in the seals to be placed under water by tremie, pneumatic process, or by bottom dumping buckets or divers.

Fig. 8 shows the side wall seal This may be of circular shape as indicated, or it may be of half-moon, octagonal or other convenient shape, and may be placed either under compressed air or by tremie, as found most convenient. The floor seal (g), shown in Fig. 9, likewise may be placed either by tremie or compressed air. After two or more caissons are sunk to position and have been sealed as hereinbefore described, and the masonry of the interior carried up to a sufficient extent so that the weight of this masonry exceeds the upward hydrostatic pressure, the lagging or bulkhead (o) transversely of the caissons may be removed with the exception of the lagging or bulkhead (o) on the side of the end caisson exposed to water pressure. The lagging of this bulkhead must be left 1n place and the horizontal braces (c) which masonry is sufciently CID placed in brace it against the Water pressure replaced by inclined braces against the masonry of the bottom and the side Walls, so that the Water can be removed from thel interior of the completed portion of the structure, or else when the Whole structure is completed, the several boxes or caissons can be flooded so as to equalize the pressure of the contained Water and the exterior tide Water, and then remove all of the bulkhead lagging and bracing in one operation and at the same time, closing the sea entrance of the structure by its permanent caisson or floating gate, andthen removing the Water from the interior of the entire structure by pumping and completing the structure as desired. A sufficient thickness of finish is the floor after the entire structure is completed, so as to line up the structure and cover' any inequalities due to the method of construction or to settlement. Fig. N o. l0 is an isometric view showing a caisson (a) sunk into position on a prepared pile foundation (7L) with side Walls (e) built up and an adjoining caisson ready for sinking into position.

The4 principal advantages of this method of construction are that it removes toalarge extent the items of contingency and risk involved in the construction of a dry dock or similar structure, in that, to a great extent the structure can be built in the dry, subject to careful inspection and super- Vision. It also vpermits of the more expeditious completion of the structure, and of the construction of a dry dock orsimilar structure in any locality or on any foundation Where the subsurface materials are capable of bearing a Weight slightly in excess of the Weight of the Water carried before the construction of the structure, or Where piles or piers can be driven or placed in the subsurface material to afford a reasonable bearing power.

I claim:

The method of docks, locks, and similar structures, which consists in. building in a dry site a Water tight shell Which Will float and is adapted to form the permanent exterior of the bottom and sides of the oating the shell to its permanent site; providing the shellY With temporary side Wall extensions; charging the shell With material to form With said shell the permanent base of the structure and whereby the .flotation of the shell is overcome and the structure retained n situ, and in extending the Walls of the shell upwardly Within the temporary Walls to form the permanent Walls of the structure.

FREDERIC R. HARRIS.

Witnesses:

MARTIN J. MCPIKE, HERMAN BLOCK.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the. Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

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